Pultenaea sp. Olinda (a shrub) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the shrub Pultenaeasp. Olinda (R.G. Coveny 6616) as an ENDANGERED SPECIES in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of that Act. Listing of endangered species is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Pultenaea sp. Olinda (R.G. Coveny 6616) is described as Pultenaea sp. E by Weston (1991) in Harden, G. J (ed.) 1991. Flora of New South Wales. Vol 2. p 492. University of NSW Press, Sydney: Erect to procumbent shrub; stems spreading-pubescent. Leaves alternate, crowded on upper parts of branches, linear, terete with a groove on the upper surface, 5-10 mm long, 0.5-1 mm wide, apex shortly aristate, lower surface darker than upper; stipules 2-3 mm long. Inflorescences subterminal or apparently terminal, dense, leafy, the leaves with slightly enlarged stipules; bracts absent. Flowers 8-9 mm long; pedicels 0.5-1.5 mm long; bracteoles c. 3 mm long, lacking stipules, narrow-ovate, aristate, keeled, glabrous, attached below or at base of calyx tube. Calyx 4-5 mm long, moderately to densely hairy; lobes aristate. Ovary hairy only at apex. Pod 5-6 mm long; turgid. Grows in crevices between sandstone boulders with other shrubs.

2. Pultenaea sp. Olinda (R.G. Coveny 6616) has been found only in a very limited area of pagoda rock formation east of Rylstone. The reference by Weston in Harden (1991) to an occurrence at Nullo Mountain is believed to be based on a typographical error on the label of a herbarium specimen.

3. Collecting notes associated with herbarium records suggest that the abundance of Pultenaea sp Olinda (R.G. Coveny 6616) has declined over the last forty years.

4. No Pultenaea species is known to resprout after fire. It is therefore likely that Pultenaea sp Olinda (R.G. Coveny 6616) regenerates from seed after fire and hence may be sensitive to changes in fire frequency.

5. Risk of extinction is high due to low population numbers. 6. In view of the restricted distribution and evidence of population decline the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the numbers of Pultenaea sp Olinda (R.G. Coveny 6616) have been reduced to such a critical level that it is in immediate danger of extinction and consequently, the species eligible for listing as an endangered species.

Proposed gazettal date: 16/10/98
Exhibition period: 16/10/98 to 20/11/98